she had survived a hurricane. She peeled off the Chanel dress, which n

hat still stained her cheeks. His words echoed in her mind

tioning. She shook her head, trying to signal that sh

nightstand. It looked small and innoc

he sheer emotional exhaustion pulled her u

ed sunroom where she kept her collection of fabric swatches from ar

attering the peace

id, her voice crisp and devoid of e

mother only ever cared

ontinued, "we can now proceed with

asked, a knot of dread t

f movement will be determine

rom Elsie's face. "

for any reason-shopping, a doctor's appointment, a visit to your little dressmaker-you mus

ed around her phone, he

new warden. A warden who was more powerful, more unpred

" Hermina added as a final warning. "They will be coordinating with our staff to over

ne wen

rofound, bone-deep chil

t out. Now it seemed she had merely traded

een reserved for her by Greta Novak, the owner of her favorite couture wo

s a privilege she had to

anger surged through her. She

the business card

ut. But the primal need for freedom, for a

mission, but to test the rules of her new c

er his name. She took a deep, steadying breath